Latest news with #LaunchPad
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
OSC announces next steps on improving investor access to long-term assets
TORONTO, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) today announced the introduction of a new OSC LaunchPad Long-Term Asset Fund Project aimed at bringing to market new investment fund products that provide exposure to long-term assets. The LaunchPad project is an opportunity for the OSC to work with firms seeking to develop investment funds that would provide retail investors with exposure to this alternative asset class. In response to stakeholder comments on an OSC consultation paper published in October 2024, the LaunchPad project aims to consider novel exemptive relief requests to permit alternative investment fund structures that provide retail investors with exposure to long-term assets. At the same time, it will explore and require bespoke investor protection controls based on the specific details of each fund and product. "The investment landscape is shifting, and retail investors are increasingly looking to diversify their portfolios," said OSC CEO Grant Vingoe. "The LaunchPad project is supporting new and innovative financial products that can enhance market efficiency and provide new opportunities for investors. Through this work we are bridging the evolving needs of investors and the growth aspirations of firms, all with the support and investor protection oversight of the OSC." The OSC encourages stakeholders to contact us regarding possible investment fund product structures that could increase opportunities for retail investor holdings of long-term assets while maintaining appropriate investor protections, and the exemptive relief that may be necessary to facilitate product launches. The LaunchPad project represents a close collaboration between the Investment Management Division and Office of Economic Growth and Innovation at the OSC. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets, and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. Investors are urged to check the registration of any persons or company offering an investment opportunity and to review the OSC investor materials available at Notes to Editors: In October 2024 the OSC announced a consultation on a new long-term asset fund product structure which aims to improve retail investor access to novel investment opportunities. The consultation proposes the creation of a new investment fund category, the Ontario Long-Term Asset Fund (OLTF), which would allow Ontarians to invest in assets they may not traditionally have exposure to. These assets include venture capital, private debt and equity, and infrastructure and natural resource projects. OLTFs could offer opportunities for more retail investors to participate in capital-intensive projects, while enabling businesses to lower funding costs and raise the capital necessary for growth. Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn SOURCE Ontario Securities Commission View original content:
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
OSC announces next steps on improving investor access to long-term assets
TORONTO, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) today announced the introduction of a new OSC LaunchPad Long-Term Asset Fund Project aimed at bringing to market new investment fund products that provide exposure to long-term assets. The LaunchPad project is an opportunity for the OSC to work with firms seeking to develop investment funds that would provide retail investors with exposure to this alternative asset class. In response to stakeholder comments on an OSC consultation paper published in October 2024, the LaunchPad project aims to consider novel exemptive relief requests to permit alternative investment fund structures that provide retail investors with exposure to long-term assets. At the same time, it will explore and require bespoke investor protection controls based on the specific details of each fund and product. "The investment landscape is shifting, and retail investors are increasingly looking to diversify their portfolios," said OSC CEO Grant Vingoe. "The LaunchPad project is supporting new and innovative financial products that can enhance market efficiency and provide new opportunities for investors. Through this work we are bridging the evolving needs of investors and the growth aspirations of firms, all with the support and investor protection oversight of the OSC." The OSC encourages stakeholders to contact us regarding possible investment fund product structures that could increase opportunities for retail investor holdings of long-term assets while maintaining appropriate investor protections, and the exemptive relief that may be necessary to facilitate product launches. The LaunchPad project represents a close collaboration between the Investment Management Division and Office of Economic Growth and Innovation at the OSC. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets, and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. Investors are urged to check the registration of any persons or company offering an investment opportunity and to review the OSC investor materials available at Notes to Editors: In October 2024 the OSC announced a consultation on a new long-term asset fund product structure which aims to improve retail investor access to novel investment opportunities. The consultation proposes the creation of a new investment fund category, the Ontario Long-Term Asset Fund (OLTF), which would allow Ontarians to invest in assets they may not traditionally have exposure to. These assets include venture capital, private debt and equity, and infrastructure and natural resource projects. OLTFs could offer opportunities for more retail investors to participate in capital-intensive projects, while enabling businesses to lower funding costs and raise the capital necessary for growth.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mengting Hou, Founder and CEO of Mimir, Named One of Three Finalists in Language Education Technology Competition
Against All Odds: How Mengting Hou Rewrote The Rules of Entrepreneurship BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This May, Mengting was named one of three finalists in the LaunchPad language education technology competition at the 2025 Conference of the Computer-Assisted Language Instruction Consortium (CALICO) in San Diego. Her journey isn't just impressive. It's revolutionary. Most entrepreneurs start with capital, connections, or a last name that opens doors. Mengting Hou had none of that. Only grit, guts, and a dream. What sets Mengting apart isn't what she's accomplished at a young age, but how she's done it: through raw tenacity. From Scarcity to Strength Born in northern China to a mother working warehouse shifts, Mengting's childhood was steeped in scarcity. "We struggled with food, clothes, and job security," she recalls. Yet deprivation built her muscles for resourcefulness, responsibility, and resilience. Without internet access or even a color TV, Mengting attacked English learning with sheer force of will. "I memorized and recited every English textbook, multiple times," she explains. "Slowly, 'English' became more than grammar rules. It became fairytales, poetry, and history. Eventually, it became my gateway to the world." No Time for Doubt At 18, Mengting pursued a double major in law and English literature while juggling multiple jobs. Days were for lectures. Nights were for working and building. Sleep was a luxury. At Beijing's New Oriental School, she taught TOEFL prep ten hours a day to students older than herself. But experience, earned through adversity, gave her presence beyond her years—and an early glimpse of the leadership instincts that would later define her. Her first two e-commerce ventures failed. Instead of retreating, she launched two more. By graduation, her surviving ventures had made her financially independent. The Entrepreneur's Burden "Building your own business is completely different from working for others," Mengting says. "An entrepreneur is a different species. You're learning everything on the fly while taking care of everyone else. You're the last reserve. 24/7. No rest. No backup." But with pressure, she found clarity. "My parents taught me to find hope in the harshest times," she says. That hope became fuel. American Reinvention In 2015, Mengting arrived in Los Angeles. No family. No friends. Little money. "When I arrived at the airport with just two suitcases, I had no backup plan," Mengting says. "But I believed that if I could survive before, I could build something here, too." Mengting's experience as an immigrant helped her zero in on an opportunity: the need for real-world language education. Traditional platforms lagged behind modern demands. So, she flipped the model. Her platform, Mimir, starts not with textbooks, but with real-life situations. From there, lessons grow organically, making the content outcome-driven and instantly relevant. In 2023, she focused on R&D. In 2024, she launched Chinese and Spanish programs. By 2025, she was scaling the business while building the English program. She formed school partnerships, connected with tech talent, secured early investors, and never lost sight of her mission: to empower young minds and close the language gap. Empowering Through Leadership As Mimir began to grow, so did Mengting's team, and her responsibility to them. She approaches leadership like she approaches language learning: context matters. "Every team member has their own story, their own learning curve," she says. "My job is to meet them where they are and build upward together." Her ability to mentor across cultures and disciplines became a driving force behind Mimir's success. Beyond Conventional Limits Mengting's story is her own philosophy in action: "Don't chase your full potential; there's no such thing. Like J.P. Morgan said: 'Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you'll be able to see farther.'" People told her she couldn't sell at scale, couldn't build a tech company without coding skills, and couldn't pass the most rigorous exams in finance. She proved them wrong, every time. She's created over 20 product brands. Sold millions in goods overseas. Passed all three levels of the CFA (Charter of Financial Analyst) exams in a row. And built a platform used by thousands of students and learners across the globe. Her story proves that the true startup capital isn't money—it's belief, drive, and the refusal to quit. "This is only the beginning. My goal is to reshape how the world learns languages, starting with underserved learners who have been left behind." Media Contact: admin@ Brandon View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Contemporary Education And Technology Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I tried Blackpool Pleasure Beach's newest ride - it's not for the timid'
The UK's favourite amusement park has had a big new addition to its line-up this week, as one of its iconic attractions was officially unveiled with a new look - and a brand new name It's been a bumper year for UK theme parks, with Universal Studios announcing its arrival and major new attractions popping up at Alton Towers and Thorpe Park. Closer to Greater Manchester, Blackpool's Pleasure Beach Resort has also been making waves, particularly this week with the grand reveal of its revamped and rebranded Launch Pad. I was among the first to test the ride on Wednesday morning (May 7), just hours before it officially opened its doors to the public, writes the Manchester Evening News's Adam Maidment. It's a heart-pounding adrenaline rush as riders are catapulted 210ft into the air at a blistering 80mph. READ MORE: 'Gorgeous' £9 body spray perfume 'just as good if not better than Sol de Janeiro' A word of advice - keep breakfast light before hopping on. If you're a regular at Pleasure Beach Resort, you might already be acquainted with Launch Pad, albeit under a different guise. Since its debut in 1997, it's gone through several name changes - starting life as Playstation: The Ride and later becoming known as Tango Ice Blast and then simply Ice Blast. But 28 years after its initial unveiling, bosses told me on opening day that it's been given a 'new lease of life'. In fact, it's undergone such a transformation that it's best considered a brand new ride. There's a fresh theme, vibrant new colours, a catchy new soundtrack and even a new cylinder. Diving into the mechanics without getting bogged down in jargon, the thrill of the ride is largely due to the pressure cylinder operating at a whopping 105 PSI, exerting a force of 105 pounds. Karl Murphy, Pleasure Beach Resort's engineering director, has previously remarked: "We've increased the force, which means the acceleration is greater." As someone who'd never experienced the ride's earlier incarnations, I was essentially going in blind, save for the anticipation of being catapulted skywards. Its longstanding popularity hinted at an extraordinary experience awaiting. The ride's space theme is a perfect match, easily conjuring images of being aboard a rocket about to blast off. A brief countdown from mission control and suddenly, it's lift-off time. The immediate surge of speed is electrifying, prompting involuntary shouts of excitement (or terror). The sensation of the G-force is palpable, offering a taste of astronaut life without leaving Earth. And if you manage to regain your composure while suspended 210ft high, do take a moment to appreciate Blackpool's beauty on a clear day – the sandy stretches, the iconic Tower, and the expansive views are truly breathtaking. The new attraction may be brief, but it is so engaging that you'll likely fancy multiple rides if the queues are manageable. Beyond Launch Pad, visitors can enjoy other attractions such as Valhalla, previously crowned the best water ride in Europe, and the legendary The Big One roller coaster which, at 213 feet tall, has endured admirably for 31 years. Pleasure Beach Resort recently refreshed Valhalla two years ago - a move that has seen it reclaim its title as the best water ride in Europe - and is maintaining its momentum by updating classic attractions, with River Caves next in line. At the Launch Pad debut gathering, Pleasure Beach Resort CEO Amanda Thompson OBE underscored the significance of these revitalisations: "Re-imaginings like this one are fantastic for our industry. Not only do they create a new and incredibly powerful ride experience, they're sustainable, and they allow us to re-invent beloved attractions for generations to come." Even to newcomers who missed the ride's earlier versions, the care and investment poured into reimagining Launch Pad is evident; the attraction has been reborn with abundant new features that almost render it a brand-new experience. Pleasure Beach Resort is certainly pulling out all the stops to maintain its standing as one of the top theme parks in the UK, and perhaps even further afield. They're also gearing up to unveil a brand-new Gyro Swing next year, with a hefty price tag of £8.72m, set to be the largest of its kind on these shores. You'd do well to add Launch Pad to your itinerary for your next jaunt to Pleasure Beach Resort - it's sure to sweep away the cobwebs.
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I was one of the first to try the revamped ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach – with new 80mph launch
Plus, a mum has revealed how to pay just £10pp on theme park days out BLAST OFF I was one of the first to try the revamped ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach – with new 80mph launch IT'S launch day, but this isn't my first rodeo on Blackpool Pleasure Beach's 'new' shot tower ride, Launch Pad. Known as Ice Blast until 2023 and PlayStation: The Ride before that, anyone familiar with Blackpool will know this vertical steel giant well. Advertisement 7 The ride was known as Ice Blast until 2023 Credit: Lee Bell 7 The ride has been at the park since 1997 Credit: Lee Bell 7 Over the past year it has had a huge makeover Credit: Lee Bell It's one of the park's classic thrill rides, and it's been flinging riders to jaw-dropping heights since 1997. But after one year off, it's back, having had a huge makeover that's aims to get your stomach churning like never before. Lucky for me - I was one of the first to give it a spin ahead of its public opening this week. Besides an updated name, theme and fresh blue and red paint job, the daunting 210-foot structure has been overhauled with a brand-new launch cylinder to give it an extra kick. Blackpool Pleasure Beach claims this 'reimagined' ride now serves a punchier, more intimidating experience as it hurls you 20 storeys skywards. Advertisement And I have to say, after multiple rides at its official press launch, I can't argue with that. With a rocket-like blast off that catapults you vertically at speeds of up to 80mph in mere seconds before a sudden, stomach-lurching plunge back to earth, I can confirm that the experience is better than ever. Launch Pad isn't the first time Blackpool has updated an old ride to offer visitors a new experience. The park's legendary water ride, Valhalla, received a £4million re-imagining in 2023, and Pleasure Beach announced at its 2025 season launch that fan-favourite River Caves will also be getting a revamp later this year. Advertisement The park's bosses say overhauling existing rides isn't just about a new name and a fresh paint job. Reusing Launch Pad's structure also means less waste - something the park's CEO, Amanda Thompson, said is better for the planet, right before cutting the ribbon. Seaside theme park gets reimagined ride She added that this is something Pleasure Beach is focusing on more and more - giving old favourites a new lease of life. And that's what they did with Launch Pad. Instead of scrapping a classic, they gave the ride a proper upgrade that feels familiar, but hits different. Advertisement Launch Pad is open now - and if you've ridden it before, don't expect the same experience. This is faster, louder, and more intense. After Blackpool Pleasure Beach CEO, Amanda Thompson, cut the ribbon and announced Launch Pad as officially open, we were let loose inside the ride area, which has a cool new 'space exploration' theme. Added oomph Alongside the galactic soundtrack, there's updated seats and restraints, and a themed launch sequence, which counts you down to take-off - alongside theatrical smoke - just like you're blasting off into the stars. However, the biggest update to Launch Pad is an upgraded pneumatic cylinder, now operating at a whopping 105 pounds per square inch (PSI). I'm told that this boost in pressure means a much faster ascent, with riders fired upwards with more force. And you really feel it. Advertisement The increase in kinetic energy is what makes the launch feel completely different. Comparing it to previous years, it now feels sharper and way more aggressive - from the g-force that pushes you down into your seat at lift off, to the floaty weightlessness you feel when you hit the top. 7 Part of the upgrade includes a faster ascent Credit: Lee Bell 7 Riders will reach 210 feet, with views across the park Credit: Lee Bell Advertisement And no matter how many times you ride it, it doesn't lose its edge. Sure, your stomach is left on the floor, but before long, you're rewarded with epic views across the whole of Blackpool, its beaches and beyond. Blackpool Pleasure Beach recently reopened for the season, including welcoming visitors to the Nickelodeon Land area of the park for the first time in over 10-years. In addition, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been crowned as the best family-owned theme park in the country. The amusement park first opened in 1896 and has been kept in the same family since. Advertisement Blackpool's Pleasure Beach Resort prices start from £28 for kids and £30 for adults. A mum recently revealed how she pays just £10pp on theme park days out for a family-of-five. Plus, the major UK theme park to get huge new land by 2027 with rollercoasters, kids rides and indoor attractions. 7 Blackpool Pleasure Beach recently reopened for the season Credit: Lee Bell Advertisement
